‘It’s one of the first positives I’ve had for a while. To be back on pole is a great feeling. I’ve had some difficult races in the past and we’ll try and redeem ourselves [in the race] tomorrow,’ Hamilton said.

Meanwhile, Button admitted his counterpart had been tough to compete with since the first practice session and that he has been struggling to keep up with him.

He said that while his own lap was far from perfect, starting from first and third on the grid will give McLaren plenty of potential to dominate tomorrow’s grand prix.

Vettel’s Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber lines up in fourth, while the Ferraris of Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso are fifth and sixth respectively.